Senators grilled Hegseth on Iran. Here are 3 big moments from the hearing

By — Joshua Barajas Joshua Barajas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senators-grilled-hegseth-on-iran-here-are-3-big-moments-from-the-hearing Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Senators grilled Hegseth on Iran. Here are 3 big moments from the hearing Politics Jul 21, 2026 7:00 PM EDT The U.S. needs more money for its war with Iran. On Tuesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside Gen. Dan Caine, made the Trump administration's case for why the U.S. military requires some $87.6 billion in new funding , the bulk of which would be directed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Hegseth said at the top of the hearing that the supplemental funding was an "urgent, necessary injection of resources" for the department's needs. He didn't directly mention the Iran war in his opening statement. "We know the best way to create peace is to prepare for war, to deter it," said Hegseth, who restarted his remarks several times after protesters disrupted his opening statement. "That's exactly what the Department of War is doing: building a force so capable that it would be absurd for anyone to challenge it." The Pentagon's last major briefing on the war was in May. Tuesday's hourslong hearing was an opportunity for Hegseth to provide lawmakers on both sides of the aisle — and the American public — more clarity on where the war is headed. The emerging theme, as Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said at one point in the hearing: "We need straight answers." Here are three big moments from Thursday's hearing. 1. How much has the Iran War cost so far? Watch the clip in the player above. The latest estimate of total costs in the Iran war so far is now: $37.5 billion , Hegseth told Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., which anticipates costs through the end of the fiscal year on Sept.30. This is up from the $29 billion estimate put out by the Pentagon comptroller in May. At the time, Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the top Democrat on the committee, called the estimate "suspiciously low." In Thursday's hearing, Murray said in her opening remarks that President Donald Trump repeatedly promised that a deal to end the Iran war was near and the war would be over soon. But given the latest escalation with Iran and the additional money being requested, Murray warned the U.S. could be sliding into "another forever war." 2. A request for 'straight talk' Watch the clip in the player above. The military leaders did not escape criticism from Republicans. Regarding his leadership, Sen. Susan Collins cited The New York Times report that Hegseth disproportionately blocked the promotions of several women and people of color. Regarding Iran, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., wanted simple answers to his series of questions. He asked what would happen if the U.S. were to stop its military actions against Ira